`Normal country' draft unveiled

TO-DO LIST Among other things, the document says Taiwan must specify its national title and take part in international organizations such as the UN using the name 'Taiwan'

By Flora Wang / STAFF REPORTER

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) unveiled its draft "normal country resolution" yesterday, in which it highlights the need for the nation to change its name to "Taiwan" to differentiate it from China.

The draft stipulates that changing the national title to "Taiwan" is a means to prevent China from exploiting the nation's current title -- Republic of China (ROC) -- for propaganda purposes.

"Our old title has harmed our sovereignty. When it comes to conducting constitutional reform and the need to participate in international [organizations], we believe it is necessary [to change the national title]," DPP Secretary-General Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) told a press conference.

Although it does not represent a finalized version, the draft specifically stipulates that "Taiwan and China are not under the jurisdiction of each other."

It also says that the government should join the UN, the WHO and other international organizations using the name "Taiwan."

The draft also states that the government should write a new Taiwanese constitution as soon as possible, which should "specify the national title and its territory to conform with Taiwan's sovereignty and rid [the country] of the remnants of the ROC system as well as the problematic `one China' framework enshrined in the existing Constitution."

"Pushing for Taiwan's independence and its international recognition are part of the party's core values," DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun said.

"Many people in the party, including me, believe we have to state clearly where we are taking Taiwan. We need to have a vision and normalization of the country is Taiwan's vision," Yu said.

Asked if the draft resolution violated President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) "four noes" pledge to the US, Yu said the pledge was the product of a specific time and place.

"They are promises between the president and the US government, not a DPP resolution or the consensus of the nation's people," Yu said.

"We shouldn't just be concerned about the interests of the US while ignoring Taiwan's interests," he said.

As per party procedures, the draft will be the subject of further deliberation before it is submitted to the party's Central Executive Committee for approval by the end of this month.

A final resolution will be passed in the party's national congress on Sept. 30.